Russell wants more from his side
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Having seen his side lose to Dundalk on Friday evening, UCD manager Martin Russell admitted that Dundalk deserved their 2-0 victory and knows that he needs to get more out of his side.
“I thought they dominated the first half and we didn't play well,” Russell said. “In the second half when we began to play well we got punished when we had a player off the pitch and they scored that crucial first goal.”
“Overall over the 90 minutes I thought that Dundalk had more attacking threat about them and we recognise that. We've done okay in patches but we know that we need to require and demand more from ourselves to beat teams like Dundalk.”
Russell was once again left to reflect on two crucial missed opportunities before the visitors took the lead while he also recognised the importance of the first goal. “We had chances in the second half when we were playing a bit better to go ahead with Samir's opportunity and David O' Connor's header at the back post. They were good chances and we didn't capitalise. In any league or at any level the first goal is important.
“We saw that with Dundalk in the Setanta Cup last Saturday, they were in the game and suddenly Shamrock Rovers go one up. Tonight again we've had chances to go ahead, we didn't take them and then it is always harder to come from behind.”
Russell did not have a clear view of Mark Griffin's 42nd minute header for Dundalk which looked over the line but was not given as a goal. However he did agree that such incidents increased the argument for the introduction of goal line technology.
“We had the worst view of it because of the angle. We could not see a thing. I saw it bang off the bar and the melee that came after it. However if technology can be used in the right way without having a complete disturbance on the game then yes I think it’s maybe a matter of time before it does come into the top leagues but again there will be still be a bit of a wait for this league” added the UCD boss.
“I thought they dominated the first half and we didn't play well,” Russell said. “In the second half when we began to play well we got punished when we had a player off the pitch and they scored that crucial first goal.”
“Overall over the 90 minutes I thought that Dundalk had more attacking threat about them and we recognise that. We've done okay in patches but we know that we need to require and demand more from ourselves to beat teams like Dundalk.”
Russell was once again left to reflect on two crucial missed opportunities before the visitors took the lead while he also recognised the importance of the first goal. “We had chances in the second half when we were playing a bit better to go ahead with Samir's opportunity and David O' Connor's header at the back post. They were good chances and we didn't capitalise. In any league or at any level the first goal is important.
“We saw that with Dundalk in the Setanta Cup last Saturday, they were in the game and suddenly Shamrock Rovers go one up. Tonight again we've had chances to go ahead, we didn't take them and then it is always harder to come from behind.”
Russell did not have a clear view of Mark Griffin's 42nd minute header for Dundalk which looked over the line but was not given as a goal. However he did agree that such incidents increased the argument for the introduction of goal line technology.
“We had the worst view of it because of the angle. We could not see a thing. I saw it bang off the bar and the melee that came after it. However if technology can be used in the right way without having a complete disturbance on the game then yes I think it’s maybe a matter of time before it does come into the top leagues but again there will be still be a bit of a wait for this league” added the UCD boss.
